Days after emergency workers rescued a family that was lost while canoeing the Chattooga, wildfires struck the region. As of April 8th, 2002 over 400 acres in the Chattooga corridor had burned including the hillside on the Georgia side of the river between Earl’s Ford and Sandy Ford. The fire, named “Marcus Mountain 1” is 90% contained. “Marcus Mountain 2” was also reported to be burning nearby on the South Carolina side of the river. A little more information is available at geomac.usgs.gov.
The Anderson Independent reported on April 5th, 2002 that a family who was lost while canoeing the Chattooga River was recovered with the help of Bruce Hare, a local kayaker and shuttle operator on the Chattooga. Part of the story is listed below:
WALHALLA — A 16-hour rescue operation on the ChattoogaRiver that included helicopters, around 50 searchers and avolunteer kayaker had a happy ending for an Andersonbusinessman and his family.
Mike Hamblin, 61, owner of The Corner Bagel Shop onGreenville Street; his son-in-law John Peterson; four ofMr. Hamblin’s grandchildren, including Mr. Peterson’s sonand daughter; and a fifth child were safely rescued fromthe banks of the river Thursday morning.
They had lost their two canoes and spent Wednesday night inthe woods wearing only T-shirts and shorts whiletemperatures hovered in the upper 30s.
Mr. Gordon said Bruce Hare, a kayaker, volunteered hisservices and helped lead the two adults out of the woodsafter the children were rescued.
Credits
Thanks to Tom Welander for forwarding information about the fires and about the river rescues.
Flame image courtesy of www.bellsnwhistles.com